Bottle



Nov. 18, 1930.

B. H MARSHALL uovmw BALCONY FOR aunmnus Filed March 21. 1950 Patented Nov. 18, 1930 PATENT OFFICE BENJAMIN H. MARSHALL, OF WILME'ITE, ILLINOIS MOVABLE BALCONY non BUILDINGS Application filed March 21, 1980. Serial No. 487,633.

An object of this invention is to provide a building construction more particularly of the type commonly called a stadium wherein there is a balcony extending along the sides, or sides and ends thereof, with means for rendering available a space beneath this balcony for use of conventions, and the like.

These and other objects as will hereinafter appear are accomplished by this invention, which is fully described in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a partial plan view showing portions of three sections or bays of such a stadium balcony; and

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section on the line 2 of Fig. 1.

The embodiment illustrated comprises a stadium having a main floor 10, around the sides of which are provided a series of posts 11 with an inner series of posts 12, which are preferably connected to the bolts 11 by means of lattice work or girders 13.

A movable balcony 14 is made up of sections as 14, 14" and 14 of Fig. 1, and is pivotally mounted preferably near its center on a series of trunnions 15, one portion of each trunnion being connected to the lower portion of the balcony 14, while the other is carried by the posts 12.

This balcony is so arranged that it can be swung about the trunnions 15 from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dotted line position. In the full line position it serves as a balcony, and has a series of steps 16 which extend in substantially arallel lines across it so as to form seats t emselves upon which spectators may walk and sit, or these ma be considered as a series of terraces upon w ich seats may be placed.

At the top of the balcony is a latform 17 upon which s ectators may we around bottom of the balcony concentric with the trunnions 15 and driven through a suitable gear reduction from a suitable source of power, such as a motor 19. It will be eviout, however, that other means may be employed for this purpose, such as hydraulic cylinders placed near the outer or upper end of the balcony, or jacks either fixed or movable placed on the floor 10, and may serve to lift the lower end of the balcony, which, as here shown, is the heavier end. With the balcony thus raised any suitable means for holding it in this position, such as hooks (not shown) connecting the balcony with the girders 13, may be used.

In the lowered or full line position the balcony will preferably be in a stable position due to the overbalancing of the weightof the lower end. To insure this, however a lock 20 may be employed to prevent the balcony from rocking if an unusually heavy crowd of spectators were all to congregate on the upper levels thereof.

It will be understood that the stadium here described may be of either the covered or uncovered type, although this invention is contemplated primarily for use in a covered stadium.

It will be understood that when the balcony is raised to the dotted line position, the floor space immediately beneath the section so raised is available for use and becomes a part of the main floor space immediately in front of the balcony.

"While I have shown and described but a few embodiments of my invention, it is be understood that it is capable of man modifications. Changes, therefore, in t e construction and arrangement may be made which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention as disclosed bythe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a building, a floor, a platform elevated above said floor, a movable balcony adapted to extend diagonally from said platform to the floor, said balcony being hingedly mounted between said platform and floor, and means for tilting said balcony about said hin cs as to clear the floor space be- N neat said balcony.

2. In a building, a floor, a platform elevated above said floor, a movable balcony adapted to extend diagonally from said platform to the floor, said balcony being hin ed- 5 ly mounted between said platform and 001' so that said balcony can be tilted about said hinges so as to clear the floor space beneath said balcony.

3. In a building, a floor, a platform elevated above said floor, a transversely stepped movable balcony adapted to extend diagonally from said platform to the floor, said balcony being hlngedly mounted between said platform and floor, and means for tilting said balcony about said hinges so as to clear the floor s ace beneath said balcony.

4. In a uilding, a floor, a platform elevated above said floor, a movable balcony adapted to extend diagonally from said platform to the floor, said balcony being hingedly mounted between said platform and floor, means for tilting said balcony about said hin es so as to clear the floor space beneath sai balcony, and means for locking said balas cony in its operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of March, 1930.

BENJAMIN H. MARSHALL. 

